Labeling-machine.



F. H. KNAPP & C. W. BLAOKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.20,1909.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. H. KNAPP & C. W. BLAOKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED rm.2o,1909.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

11 SHBETSr-SHIJET 2.

5] vwewhoz 5 Wit muses wzo a/ F. H. KNAPP & G. W. BLACKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IBB.20, 1909.

1, 1 O6, 100, Patented Aug. 4, 1914:. y

11 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Egg/7.14144 7? 4 21? 67 w?! WFbcisfozwg W1) Gum/wel s:

F. H. KNAPP & G. W. BLAGKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION TILED PEIL20, 1909.

Patented Aug". 4, 191 1 11 SHBIJTS-SHEIIT 4 F. H. KNAPP & G. W. BLAGKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE.

AIILIOATION FILED 1 1:3.20, 1900.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

0 a] to E61 [(7/0)]: 2212 w (Zara/me l'lffl ddstona,

P. H; KNAPP & 0. w. BLAGKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED rnnzo, 1900.

1,106,100, Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

11 SHEETS-$111131 6.

avwenbou fled/z 141 and Zarence M'fihckstom {3% f We atfo'mwi s."

F. H. KNAPP & C. W. BLACKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 113E220, 1009.

1,106,100, Patented Aug. 4, 19m

9 E 103 70/ 11 SHEETSSHBIIT 7.

(' 2/ r (was PM Riki-done.

F. H. KNAPP & C. W. BLAOKSTONB.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION nun rrmzo, 1900.

1,106,100. a ented Aug.4,1914.

11 BHEB'I'BSHEET 8.

fi Ma abto'megsr F. H. KNAPP & C. W. BLACKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED P151120, 1909.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

11 SHBBTSSHBET 10.

A/Mmm/ awuewtoz a F. H. KNAPP & C. W. BLACKSTONE.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 11:13.20, 1009.

1,106,100. Patented Aug. 4, 191 1 11 BHEETB SHEBT 11.

gwuemtow: witnesses:

frad flli ewi 1 M e M film/(slam A UNITED STATES PAEENT OFFICE.

FRED H. KNAPP, OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND, AND CLARENCE W. BLACKSTONE,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS T0 FRED H. KNAPP COMPANY, OF WEST- MINSTER, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

LABELING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

Application filed February 20, 1909. vSerial No. 479,292.

To all whom it may concern:

-Be it known that we, F RED H. KNAPP and CLARENCE W. BLACKSTONE, citizens of the United States, residing at Westminster, county of =Carroll,.and State of Maryland, and Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Labeling-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to labeling machines and particularly to that type of machine adapted to apply labels to the heads or ends of cans or other packages or receptacles.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a machine for the above purpose, which is particularly efficient and durable in operation.

To the above end, the invention includes an entrance run-way or feed for the cams to be labeled with associated novel means for timing the entrance of the cans from the run-way to the main feed whereby but one only of the cans will be delivered to the feed ata time.

The invention also includes improved pasting instrumentalities, label positioning or applying mechanism, and label pressing or aflixing apparatus designed to operate successively on the cans as they travel from one operative position to the other.

Novel feeding mechanism is also employed to carry the cans from one operative position to the other and so through the machine; also means whereby the cans are firmly supported at the end opposite to that to which the label is being applied, with means for preventing tilting or upsettin oi the cans either during their feed or at their points of rest.

Further, the invention includes novel and improved delivery mechanism for the labeled cans, especially adapting the mechanism for use in connection with any of the accepted types of body labeling ma hines. which m'ay be coupled directly to the dclivery end of the present machine, though the body label aflixing mechanism constitutes no part of the present invention.

In carrying out the principles of operaconstruction comprises means for righting the entrance runway; or prescntingthe cans end up to the feeding mechanism, with means for holding the cans upright'on the teed, together with a common head having; reciprocatoi y movement above the exposed heads of the cans and carrying the several mechanisms including the pastor, label positioncr, and a'flixer, ttor simultaneous movement, whereby as one label is being aflived bv the allixer or pusher, the succeeding can is ha-vrng a label positioned or applied to its posted end, while at the same time still another can, the one next adjacent the label posrtioner, is being operated upon by tho pasting mechanism. I

Another important feature of the invention resides in the improved means for insuring the delivery of but a single label to ouch pasted can, and means for operatin the label follower in" correspondence to th? delivery of 'the labels.

While the above are some of the main or important features of the invention, many others will be pointed out hereinafter in a detailed description of 'the parts and for a clear insider-standing of such description. reference is directed to the accompanving drawings, which form a part 'hereot', nnil wherein a satisfactoi'v embodiment of the nvention is disclosed for the purpose of illustration, though it is to be understood that man-y minor changes may be made in carrying out the principle of operation.

With reference to the drawings, Figure l is a trout elevation of the machine, Fig. 2 1s an elevation of the feeding or front end of the machine with parts in section, Fig. is a front elevation of a portion of the machine enlarged, showing the pasting. positioning or applying, and pushing or allixing apparatus in operative position, and the run way in $601310, Fig. 4 is a rear elevation on an enlarged scale of the main portion of the mach me, Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 55 of Fig. 3. Fig. (i is an enlarged sectional view on line (3----6 of Fig.

1 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing labeling and pressing mechanism removed. Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevation of the delivery end of the machine, with parts broken away, Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. Figs. 9 and 10 are enlarged plan views of a portion of the'feed and can support, with the label positioner and applier controller in reverse positions. Figs. 11 and 12 are enlarged detail views illustrative of the delivery end of the machine, Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of the can spacing or escapement mechanism, Fig. 14. is a front elevation of a portion of the feed enlarged with the operating mechanism therefor, Fig. 15 is a section on the line 1515 of Fig. 14 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 16 is a detail view of a portion of the operating mechanism for the feed, and Figs. 17 and 18 are enlarged detail views of the supporting mechanism for the delivery runway.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters represent corresponding parts throughout the various views, A is a suitable frame of any convenient construction, but preferably comprising upright legs or standards 1, positioned at the ends of a rectangular frame 2, which latter has suitable cross braces or bars 3, intermediate its ends. The legs at the respective ends of the frame are suitably braced intermediate their ends by connecting bars 4.

5 a motor suitably mounted at the forward end of the machine, conveniently an electric motor, and has a shaft 6 projecting forwardly therefrom, with a cog wheel 7 having peripheral meshing engagement with a gear wheel 8 secured to a shaft 9 projecting forwardly and having rotatable hearing at 10 in the adjacent brace bar 1. Fixed on the shaft 9 is a pinion 101 having meshing engagement with a gear wheel 11,

keyed on an elongated shaft 12 extending longitudinally of the. machine andhaving adjacent one end a bearing 13 conveniently an integral part of the adjacent brace bar 4, and at its opposite end a similar bearing in the other brace bar 4 at the rear of the machine. Since the shaft 12 has associated instrunientalities whereby each of the several parts of the machine are governed and controlled in their operation, ll convenicntly term. said shaft 12 the main operating shaft.

The feeding mechanism for the cans to be labeled preferably comprises the following parts: Suitable bracket supports which may take the form of oppositely inclined legs '14 with flanges 14,, arranged to rest on the upper surface. of the sides of the rectangular supporbfl, are secured in any desired manner as by bolts 14 to the inner surfaceot' said sides. The upper terminals 15 of said legs have an opening at their conne tion to form a bearing for an elongated guide bar 16, mounted in said bearing for longitudinal sliding movement and connected by vertical arms 1'? to a longitudinally extending bar 18 constituting the feeder for the can. Guides 19 upon opposite sides of the feeder bar 18 and slightly thereabove constitute the rest support or runway for the cans, and have uprightfianges 19 one of which flanges has an overhanging lip 19 arranged to engage over the usual peripheral flange formed by the cap on the can. By this construction, the can will be maintained in an upright position and free from disengagement or tilting throughout its feed. Pusher dogs 20 conveniently arranged in pairs connected at their lower ends by a bar 20* extending over the under surface of the feeder bar 18 are pivota'lly connected as by pintles :21 secured to said bar. Suitable spring members 22 being mounted on said pintles and connected to a part carried thereby and to the dogs, normally tend to hold said dogs in upright, or in, position to engage the rear of the cans. The feeder bar 18 and the pusher dogs carried thereby receive reciprocating movement in a manner to be described, and said dogs are constructed and arranged to, in their forward movement, push the cans forwardly in front thereof along the guide rests 19, and in the rearward movement the dogs swing against the tension of the springs about their axes to a point below the path of the cans, the springs readily yielding to the pressure of the cans, which are held against vertical movement by the overhanging lip 19 on the can ,rests as described. The can rests 19 are supported in position by extensions 14 on the legs 14, and in order to accommodate the said rests to cans of -varying width, flat spring members 19 mounted in a recess 19 of one of the flanges 19 of the can rests, project inwardly from said flangesinto the path of the can, the inward movement of said springs being limited by recesses 19 in the the rectangular frame 2. A bracket sup port 27 is pivotally connected at 26 adjacent the outer end of the inclined trough and has a detachable engagement at its 0 posite end to the support 25, as by means 0 a hollow terminal on the support 27 and a projecting lug on the support 25 arranged to fit within said hollow terminal. In this way,

the inclined trough may be swung about its 1 pivot '23 by disengaging the bracket support 27 from the lug on the support 25, and thereby assume a position against the end of the machine when the apparatus is not in use. An additional. foot rest or bracket 27 may be providedas an additional support, the same connecting at its respective ends to the bracket 24 and the end of the rectangular frame 2. Upright members 28 are connected to the opposite side of the inclined trough adjacent its delivery end, and exend engaging a cam 36 carried by the main operating shaft 12. The operating bar or rod receives reciprocatory movement through the medium of said cam and in turn the overhanging arm 33 will be reciprocated, thereby imparting alternate vertical move ments to the opposite ends of the spring arm 30, which oscillates with the rod 29. The spring arm is so arranged and positioned that the presser foot 31 will engage one can to hold the same from movement while the forward end of the spring arm yields under the upward movement of the operating rod 34 to disengage the next preceding can in the runway. Upon the reverse movement of the operatingrod 34, the spring arm moves about its pivot whereby the presser foot end thereof is raised from engagement with the succeeding can, which is now free 1 to move downwardly until it contacts with the overhanging bar or arm 33 connected to the forward end of the spring arm as described. In this way the feed of. each can is timed so that they are accurately spaced one from the other, which spaced position they will maintain throughout the operation of the machine, whereby the operation upon one can will not interfere with the operations on the others.

Since the present machine is designed primarily for placing the labels upon the heads or ends of the. cans, means are interposed between the inclined trough and the feed support for righting the can, which said means may be of any desired construction, though conveniently comprising curved bars 36, one lower than the other, for engaging the under surface of the cans adjacent the opposite ends, thereby tilting the cans, an auxiliary bar 36 to the outside of and above the lower bar constituting with the upper bar before mentioned guides for the uprighted can, as it moves into engagement with the supporting bars or rests 19.

Means for imparting reciprocating movement to the feeding bar 18 comprises a cam 37 on the operating shaft 12 adapted to be engaged by an anti-friction bearing 38 rotatably mounted on the side of a rod 39 having a slotted engagement with said shaft 12, at 40. The rod 39 has a loose sliding engagement at its upper end with a bearing 41 secured to a stationary part of the machine and connected intermediate the ends of the rod 39 for movement therewith as by an ofi'set arm 42 sleeved thereon, is an auxiliary rod 43 extending longitudinally of the rod 39, the offset arm 42 also having a sleeved connection with the auxiliary rod, and being adjustably held to the respective rods as by adjustable bolts 42". A rack 43 is formed on one side of the auxiliary arm and is designed to mesh with a segment gear 44, rotatably mounted on a shaft 45, supported in bearings comprising a stationary part of the machine. A supplemental segment gear 46 connected with the gear 44 for relative adjustment as by the pin and slot connection 45, is designed to move with the gear 44 and adapted to mesh with a rack 46 carried by the guide bar 16. In action, the supplemental segment gear 46, by its movement impelled by the connected segment gear 44 and cam actuated rod reciprocates the rack 46, thereby imparting backward and forward movement to the guide bar 16 and in turn the feed bar 18, for the purpose heretofore described. A spring member 47 connected at one end to a stationary part of the machine as at 48 and at its opposite end to an extension of the segment gear 46, is provided to insure the return movement of the segment 46 should the anti-friction bearing o fthe rod 39 fail to lower in following the reduced portion of the cam 37. By means of the adjustable connection between the two segments, referred to, it is possible to adjust thethrow of the feed bar 18 and thereby accurately position the respective cans relative to the operating instrumentalities of the labeling mechanism about to be described.

An open bearing 49 mounted on a stationary part of the machine constitutes a guide for an operating bar 50 having a slotted guide member 51 at its lower end, loosely fitted on the main operating shaft 12, and carrying an offset anti-friction bearing 52 cngz'iging a cam 53 on the shaft 12 by which the rod is reciprocated. The rod 50 projects npwardlyto a point above the can feed and is connected in any desired manner to a head 54, common to the pasting. label positioning. and label pressing instrumcntalities about to be described, all of said instrumentalities being operated simultaneously through the medium of the rod 50 and connoctcd head 54, the cam 53 operating to raise the rod, and a spring member 55 connected :;t its lower end as at 56 to a stationary part of the machine and at its upper end to the head 54 at 54 insuring the lowering of the head as the anti-friction bearingengages the reduced portion of the can 53. A guide rod extending longitudinally of the rod 50v and connected thereto by an offset arm 50 is arranged to slide loosely through'a hearing 50 on a stationary part of the machine, as an additional guiding means for the rod 50 and tending to prevent any frictional holding action of the rod 50in its "hearing 49.

Thepasting or glue applying apparatus is conveniently constructed as follows: A receptacle 57 adapted to contain, paste, glue, or "other adhesive substance is supported by a bracket 58 on the rectangular frame 2, a suitable coveringmember 59 being provided with an opening 59 for the insertion of the adhesive material and being cutaway at 59 for the protrusion of an adhesive carrier roll 60 arranged to alternately dip into the contained adhesive and in the path of an auxiliary adhesive carrier comprising an endless belt 6l, suitably of rubber with which the roller '60 contacts. Below the belt 61 and slightly above the top of the upright cans to be operated upon is a holding and centering platen or plate 62 carried by upright bars,63 and 64, having slidable engagement-as at 63 and 64 with a transverse bar 65 carried by a stationary head frame 66, supported by an upright member 67, on the rectangular frame 2. Springs 68, and 68 sleeved upon the rods 63 and 64: be tween-collar 68 and a stationary part of the head frame 66 normally tend to hold the platen in elevated position. The said platen has anopening-69 therein positioned above the path of the can, the opening being of a size to correspond with the size of the label to be applied to the can head, and surrounding said opening is a recess 70 shaped to conform to the shape of the can which latter will fit in the recess when the centering plate is lowered, in a manner to! be described. A presser foot71 having a iprotruding compressible surface 72 of any desired material is positioned above the adhesive feed belt 61 in registration with the opening 69 of the platen 62, whereby when the foot 71 is lowered the compressible surface will force that portion of the endless adhesive carrier immediately therebelow through said opening and onto the top of the positioned can, it being understood that the endless adhesive belt is constructed of flexible material as stated, to admit of this operation. That portion of the presser foot 71 surrounding the compressible projection 72 engages the upper surface of the centering platen surrounding the opening 69 thereby lowering the centering platen when downward movement is imparted to the presser foot 71 through the-medium of the movable head 54 with which the presser foot is connected by spacing bars 79 therebetween.

spring 73 is interposed between the presser foot and the arm 71*- to accommodate for any excess pressure on the can head and thereby preventing any possible breakage of parts.

not only hold the can in registration therewith from movement, but will prevent the adhesive material from gaining access to the can. head surface not to be occupied by the label. A rod 7]. slidably mounted in an arm 72 and connected with arm 7-1 constitutes an auxiliary support for the rod 72, said rod adapted to contact against the tension of spring 72 with a stationary part of the machine.

The label holder, the label positioner, together with the label follower may be describedas follows: 74 is a'd wnwardly projecting arm secured at 75 to the movable head 54 and at 76 to a carrier frame conveniently an annular member 77 adapted to receive a label receptacl or support, a satisfactory arrangement of-which comprises upper and lower annular members 78' with The annular members 78'have openings 80 adapted for 'tlie reception of. the labels, and novel means are provided for adapting the open ing to difi'erent sized labels. In the instance illustrated the opening for the labels is rectangular in shape for similarlyshaped'lab'cls. and the relatively short ends of the labels are supported by plates 81 centrally arranged relative to the sides of the opening, though, it is obvious that one or more of said plates may be employed. The plates 81 extend between the annular members of It is noted that when the centering platen is in lowered position, the same will the'case, and that plate at one end of the openingis shown as adjustable laterally through the medium of slotted brackets 82 carried by the plate 81 and secured by adjustable bolts 83 to the upper and lower an nular members of the receptacle. It is ohvious that a greater'range of adjustability lower annular members of the receptacle, it i being understood that each of the bars may be adjustable, though those upon one side only of the receptacle are so shown. It is also noted that a single bracket is common to all of the bars on each side. The plates 81 have adjacent their lower ends relatively short inwardly extending lips or flanges 87 constituting rests for the labels, which, owing to the construction of the underlying lips may be readily slipped thereover.

The label receptacle has a plurality of outwardly extending vertical flanges or plates 88 enlarged at- 89 to constitute an overhanging lip, for a purpose to be described. The carrier frame 7 7 has slotted guides or ways 90 adapted for the reception of the flanges 88 of the label receptacle for relative sliding movement. Projecting upwardly from the carrier frame 77 are bars 91 connected at their upper end by the head piece 92 arranged to support in a manner to be de scribed. a rod 93 carrying a follower 94 adapted to rest upon the uppermost label in the cage. The follower rod 93 has a serrated surface 9-1, the serrations being closely associated, and there being preferably a serration for each contained label. An actuatin member 96* with a projection rod 96 thread ed thereto and held in adjusted position by thumb nut 96 is sleeved upon a plunger rod 97 and connected thereto for a limited relative sliding movement as by a pin and slot connection 913 and 98 The plunger rod 97 passes through an aperture in an arm 99 carried by the head piece 92 and projects thereabove for connection at 100 with one end of a lever 101 pivoted intermediate its ends between standards 102 projecting upwardly from the arm 99. Pivoted to the inner end of the lever by a pintle 103 is a dog 104 arranged at its free end to engage the serrations of the follower rod 93, the pintle 103 being extended upon one side of the bar ordog and a spring member 105 be ing interposed between the collar 106 at the outer end of the pintle and dog for normally holding the latter in engagement with the follower rod. The said pawl or dog through its operative connection being constructed and arranged to impart downward movement to the follower rod by each operation a distance equal to the space between the serrations, the follower will lower'to take up the space of each disengaged label. An auxiliary pawl or dog 107 is carried by a stationary arm secured to the standards 109. the pawl being pivotally connected to said .arm and having associated therewith a spring 108 mounted on the extended pintle for the pawl as described with reference to the associated pawl 104, the spring normally holding the auxiliary pawl in engagement with the serrations and being mounted on a stationary arm to withhold the follower rod in the position to which adjusted by the pawl 104.

Means are provided whereby the plunger rod 97 will only operate to move the pawl 104; when a can is improper position below the label. carrier. To this end an abutment 109 is pivoted to one side of the guide 19, a spring 110 secured respectively to said abutment and the outer wall of the guide tending to normally hold the abutment in innermost position or in the path of the can to be engaged by the latter and swung about vits pivotal connection into a position to be engaged by the rod 96. The abutment or contact when in this position will be engaged by the actuating rod 96, thereby exerting upward pressure against the tension of the spring 111 interposed between the rod 97 and arm 99, thereby operating the lever 101. The abutment 109 is notched at its free end as at 113 and a pin 114 on the guide fitting in said notch is intended to limit the movement of the abutment in either direction.

Means are provided whereby breakage of parts is prevented should the pressure on the follower shoe 93 exceed a predetermined amount, as when the labels are exhausted, and the follower engages the can, it being noted that the can when in this position moves the abutment into position to be engaged by the actuating rod 96. Therefore a spring member 115 is interposed between a collar 116 carried by the plunger rod 97 and a collar 117 on the actuating member 96, the tension of the spring being sufiicient to normally hold the rod substantially immovable relative to one another, but should the pressure on the follower foot increase beyond the normal, or should the same be otherwise prevented from movement exerted by the lever arm 101, the spring 115 will be compressed and the parts 96 and 97 relatively moved, the pin and slot connection permitting this relative movement. In this way, the actuating rod may continue to operate without affecting the parts carried thereby. The rod 96 may be adjusted longitudinally of the sleeve 96 by grasping the thumbnut 96 and rotating in either direction according to whether it is desired to elevate or lower the same, it being noted thatthe said rod 96 has a threaded engagement with the sleeve 96. A thumbnut 96 threaded onto the rod 96 is provided to constitute a locking means for holding the rod 96 in its adjusted position.

In operation, the carrier is supplied with labels. the dogs or pawls 104 and 197 are removed from engagement with the follower rod by means of knobs 116 on the respective -pawls, and the follower foot is manually lowered into position relative to the labels. .It being understood that the actuating rod 96 is normally free from contact at its lower end, when a can assumes a position below the label carrier, the abutment is swung outwardly into position to be contacted b the lower end of the actuating rod 96. Vl hen the head 5-1 is lowered, it operates to simultaneously lower the label carrying frame 77 and with it the label receptacle and follower. As these parts are lowered the actuating rod 96 is simultaneously lowered and upon con-. tacting with the-abutment 109 will operate -which has a relative sliding movement through the medium of its flanges 88 and slotted ways 90 in the frame 77 will assume a position slightly elevated relative to the carrier frame 77 as illustrated clearly in Fig. 5, it being noted that the overhanging lips 89 are spaced from their seats on the carrier frame 77. In this position pressure is exerted on the labels by the follower 94.

Now assuming that upward movement is imparted to the frame 77 by the head 54, the frame and follower will have a movement independent of the label case equal to the space between the overhanging lips 89 on the cage and their seats 90 on the frame when in 1 lowered position. The resultant lost motion provides means whereby for an interval all pressure on the labels is relieved while the same are held in contact with the registered can. Upon the further upward movement of the carrying frame 77, the overhanging lips 89 on the cage will be engaged by the frame and elevated, and this movementthe lowermost label previously brought into contact with the adhesive material on the can will adhere to the can and be separated from the remaining labels by slipping over the relatively short retaining lips 87 on the label receptacle, it being noted that this operation is made positive by reason of the fact that when the label is in position toobe separated, the only weight on said label will be that ofthe superimposed labels themselves.

The label pushing or affixing apparatus preferably comprises the following parts: An arm 118 projects forwardly from the movable head 54 and constitutes asupport for a plunger rod 119, slidably mounted thereon. A collar 119 constitutes means for limiting the downward sliding movement of the plunger rod and a spring 120 interposed between the arm 118 and a collar 121 on the rod '119 normally tends to hold the rod in lowermost position, though adapted to yield should excess pressure be exerted on the presser foot 122 at the-lower end of the rod. The presser foot conveniently hasa compressible surface 123 and to prevent direct contact of said surface with the labeled cans with the incident objections, an interposed yieldable platen or member124 is provided suitably in the form of an endless belt of fabric material. The plunger rod receives reciprocations from the movable head 54 and the parts are so timed that when lowered the press er foot will contact through the interposed belt 124 the last labeled can auto" theside of an operating rod 127 sleeved as by a slot 128 on said shaft 12. An open guide 129 secured to a stationary part of the frame fits loosely about the rod adjacent the upper end and connected to said upper end as by an ofiset arm 130 is a rack bar 131 arranged to receive reciprocation by said cam and intermeshlng with a segment gear '132 loosely sleeved upon a shaft 133, which latter has a loose bearing in the upright bar 67 of the stationary head 66. Fixed upon the rear end of the shaft 133 adjacent the segment gear 132 is a ratchet wheel 134 conveniently having four notches 1'35 arranged to be engaged by a pivoted pawl'136 connected to the segment gear 132 by a pintle 137', a spring-138 interposed between the ratchet and a collar on said pintle tending to hold the pawl in engagement with the periphery of the cog wheel.

As thus far described, it will be observed that the movement of the shaft 133 will be intermittent each movement beingdependent on the distance between the notches 135 on the wheel 134, the pawl 136 after moving thev'heel 134 the required distance, being returned into engagement with the next succeeding notch onthe wheel 134 by the return movement of the rack bar 131 permitted by the cam 125 and assisted by the spring 138 gear -sleeved upon the rod 127. Upon said shaft number are loosely supported on suitable 1 shafts 147 on the stationary head 66 and are adapted tosupport the adhesive carrier 61 a belt tightener in the form of a pivotally mounted roller 148, being provided to take up the play of the belt and hold the samein frictional contact with the pulleys 146 for rotation therewith. Sprockets 149, one foreach pulleyl146, are secured to the pulleys and one of said sprockets is fixed to the shaft 145, and a sprocketchain 150 in engagement with the respective sprocket wheels imparts simultaneous movement thereto. A chain of a sprocket chain 153. tightene'r 154 pivotally mounted on the fixed tightener in the form of a pivotally mounted roller 150, on a stationary part of the head 66 is adapted to take up the play of the sprocket chain. Upon the opposite side of the fixed head 67 are pulleys 151 usually four in number adapted to support the presser belt or platen 124, two of the pulleys being idlers, and the others conveniently enlarged and carrying sprockets 152, whereby the movement of one of said enlarged pulleys fixed to the shaft 145 is imparted to the other enlarged pulley through the medium A suitable belt head 66 tends to hold the presser belt or platen in frictional contact with the pulley.

It will be appreciated that the adhesive belt 61 and the presser belt or platen 124 have a common drive and are simultaneously operated, and also that this movement is intermittent, the mechanism being designed to present a new surface of the respective belts to each can, for obvious reasons. Each of the belts '61 and 124 being loosely fitted over the supporting pulleys, the same may be readily slipped from off the same for cleansing .or other purposes The delivery mechanism is conveniently constructed as follows: A bar 154 is detachably secured as by bolts 155 to one of the guide bars or can rests19 and extends therebeyond, the upper surface of the bar 154 being in line with and constituting a continuatlon of the upper surface of said guide bar. A bracket arm 156 sleeved in a bearing 157 at the rear end of the rectangular frame 2 is held in adjusted position by a bolt 158 and upon the upper end of the arm 156 is a T-shaped support the upright arm 159'thereof being detachably sleeved on said arm 156 and ield by bolt 160, and the transverse arms 161 varying in length andbeing hollowprovide a support for a shaft 162 constituting a pivotal hear ing or sup ort vfor arun'way 163 secured to the sha t 162. \Vhen the runway is in elevated position or in position to receive the labeled cans, an elongated bar 164 pivoted at one end 165 to the outer end of the runway engages at its oppositeend with a :retaining lug or recess on the rear end of the frame as at 166.

By the construction just described, the labeled can upon reaching the projecting bar 154' on one side of its lower surface, is free at its opposite side to tilt into rolling'position into the runway to be delivered, it being noted that the can will in this osition be ready to receive the ordinary si e label, and mechanism for this purpose may be applied directly to the runway, which latter would then constitute the feed for the side labeling instrumentalities. With this result in view, the bar 154' is constructed as to be equally applicable to either of the guides or can rests 19 and the su ports for the runway are adjustable and etachable with the result thatwhile the runway is shown in Fig. 18-as extending to the right of the guide bar, the; T-shapcd arm may be reversed, when the runway will assume a position slightly-to the opposite side of the bar 154, the said bar 154 having been, however, reviously removed and applied to the oppositeguide 19 as shown in Fig. 17. By this construction; it will be appreciated that regardless of the reversed positions of the bar 154'and runway 163, the can when tilted will be positioned directly on the runway for rolling movement, the positioning being aided by flaring ends 163" of the flanges of the runway.

The general operation of the machine may be briefly recited as follows: Cans to be labeled are placed in the feeding trough or runway down whichthey roll until the lowermost one contacts with the forward end of the spring escapement 30, the next succeeding can eing at this time beneath the compressible member 31 of said spring arm. The machine havin been set -in operation, the rod 34 is move by the cam 36 against the tension of a spring 334 interposed between a collar on said rod and its bearing 34*, to release the foremost can, while the next succeeding one is still held by the rear end of the arm. The rod is subsequently permitted to lower by the cam 36, being aided by said spring, when the succeeding can, being now free by the swinging of the spring arm about its ivot, will take the place of the previous ly discharged can, which latter is positioned upon the runway or can rest 19 in an upright position to be taken up and fed along the can rest by the pushers which by reciprocal movement are arranged to release one series of fed cans and engage the next succeeding series. The pushers are spaced so as to position the cans accurately relative to the labeling instrumentalities, that is, one can under each apparatus. When so positioned, 'the paste plunger, label carrier, and presser plunger will simultaneously move into operative relation to the cans, through the medium of the movable head 54 common to each of said parts, the follower 94 in the label recep tacle being governed in its movement by the movement of the cans along the runway, and the paste belt 61 and presser belt 124 interposed between the respective plungers, and the cans, receiving intermittent movement by the ratchet 134 through the gear connection fully described, whereby a new surface of each of saidbelts will be presented to the successive cans. After the label is firmly afiixed to the cans, the feeding movement of the latter is continued by the pushers 20 and delivered for rolling action on the delivery runway 163 through the meother can.

dium of the interposed tilting bar or extension 15a. A protecting hood or casing B- may be removably secured to the motor as by bolts Z).

In shipping, or when not in use, the receiving and delivery runways may be swung about their pivotal connection against the ends of the machine.

We claim:

1. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway adapted to feed cans or the like and an arm constructed and arranged at its respective ends to simultaneously engage and hold successive cans, and means for releasing said engagement.

2. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, of an arm above the runway of a length to extend over two cans or the like which are fed along the runway, a pivotal support for the arm intermediate its ends, and means whereby one of said arms may engage one can while the other engages the 3. In a labeling machine, of an inclined runway adapted to deliver cans or the like, an elongated arm arranged I to holdingly engage at its respective ends succeeding cans, and a pivotal connection for said a-rm whereby one end of the arm may be released from its can while the other end of the arm will maintain its holding engagement on its engaged can.

4. ln a labeling machine, the combination of a runway adapted to feed cans or the like, an arm constructed and arranged to simultaneously holdingly engage adjacent its respective ends two successive cans, releasing means for the arm, and means whereby as the forward can is released by one end of the arm, the next succeeding can islield from movement by the opposite endof the arm.

5. In a labeling machine, the combination constructed" and arranged adjacent its respective ends to engage successive cans, and means for releasing said engagement on one can by flexing the arm.

6. In a labeling. machine, the combination of a runway adapted for the reception of 'cans, an elongated arm of resilient material constructed and arranged adjacent its respective ends to engage and hold succeeding cans in the runway, and means for releasing the engagement of one end of the arm' on one can while maintaining the holding engagement of the opposite end on the other can.

7 In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway adapted to feed cans or the like,

of a spring pressed arm arranged to exert eholding tension on a plurality of cans, and means for overcoming the holding tension on one can while maintaining it on another.

8. lln a labeling machine, the combination the combination aioaioo of a runway adapted to feed cans or the like, of a spring pressed arm arranged to exert adjacent to said ends, holding tension on the succeeding cans, means for releasing the holding tension of the forward end of the arm onfthe first can without removing the holding tension on the next succeeding can, and means for subsequently releasing said other can.

9. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway adapted to feedcans or the like, of an elongated arm pivoted intermediate its ends above the runway, said arm having a yielding portion adjacent one end for engaging one can anda part at its opposite support on the runway, a spring arm pivoted intermediate its ends to said support and above the cans, said arm being constructed and arranged to exert pressure at adjacent opposite ends on two succeeding cans, and means engaging one end of the arm'to release the same from one can while the next adjacent can is being held by the opposite end of-the arm.

-11. lln a labeling machine, the combina tion of a runway for cans, an upright supporton the runway, a spring arm pivoted intermediate its ends to said support and above the cans, said aim being constructed and arranged to engage adjacent its opppsite ends two succeeding cans, and cam actuated means for engaging one end of the arm to release the same "from one can while the next adjacent can is being held by the opposite end of the arm.

12. lln a labeling machine, the combination of a runway for cans, of anarm of spring material fixed to a support above the cans and arranged at one end to engage'directly with a can and hold the same from movement, means forbend'ing said spring to re lease the can. v V

13. In a can labeling machine, the combination of a runway for feeding cans, of an upright support on said runway, an arm pivoted intermediate its ends to the support and having a resilient part at one end to engage one can and a compressible member at itsopposite end to' engage the succeeding .can,1neans for releasing said resilient part bination of a runway for feeding cans, of an upright support on said runway, an arm pivoted intermediate its ends to --the support and having a resilient part at one end toengage one can and a compressible member at its opposite end to engage the succeeding can, cam actuated means for releasing said resilient part to release the forward can without disturbin the" holding action of the compressible mem er on the next succeeding can, and for subsequently moving the arm about its pivot to release said other can.

15. In a labeling machine, labeling instrumentalities, a rigid support for holding the cans upright below the labeling instrumentalities, rigid means for preventing tilting of the cans and a feed movable longitudinally of the support to move the cans into operative position relative to the labeling instrumentalities.

16.'In a labeling machine, the combination of labeling instrumentalities, a support for a plurality, ofcans having a longitudinally extending opening and an overhanging lip on the support for engaging over the flange of the can to hold the same upright, and means for feeding the cans along said support into operative position relative to the labeling instrumentalities, including pusher arms projecting through said opening, with means for reciprocating said arms, and a spring connection for each arm permitting independent yielding movement.

17. In a] labeling machine, the combination of labeling instrumentalities, a support for a plurality of cans having a longitudinally extending opening, and means for feeding the cans along said support into operative position relative to the labeling instrumentalities, including pusher arms projecting through said opening, and normally arranged in the path of the cans, means for operating said arms to move the cans forwardly and for returning said arms to a position to engage the next succeeding cans, means whereby during the returning movement, the arms are moved out of the path of the cans, by the latter, and means for holding the cans against vertical movement while the arms are being turned' 18. In a labeling machine, the combination of labeling instrumentalities, a support 'for a plurality of cans-having a longitudinally extending 0 ening, and means for feeding the cans re ative to the labeling instrumentalities comprising a plurality of usher arms projecting through 'said open- 1n into'the path of the cans, the said arms being pivoted to swing in one direction, whereby theymaymove into and out of the path of the cans, spring means for normally holding the arms in pushing position, and means whereby the cans will act in opposition to said s ring means to release the arms.

19. In a abeling machine, labeling instrumentalities, and a can feed comprising.

a support for the cans having a longitudinally extending opening, a plurality of pusher arms for the cans adapted to project upwardly through said openings and into the path of the cans, spring means for holding the arms upright, a connecting rod for the pushers having slidable engagement with a stationary part of the machine, cam actuated means for reciprocating the rod, and means whereby as said pushers move forwardly they impart like movement to the cans, and as they move rearwardly they are positioned by the cans out of the path of said cans and into the path of the succeeding cans.

20. In a labeling machine, labeling instrumentalities, and a can feed comprising a support for the cans having a long1tudi-' having slidable engagement with a stationary part of the machine, cam actuated means for reciprocating the rod, interposed mechanism for adjusting the throw of the rod, and

means whereby as said pushers move forwardly they impart like movement to the cans, and as they move rearwardly they are positioned out of the path of said cans and into the path of the succeeding cans.

21. In a labeling machine, labeling instrumentalities, and a can feed comprising a support for the cans having a longitudinally extending opening, a plurality of pusher arms for the cans adapted to project through said openings and into the path of the cans, a connecting rod for the pushers having a slidable engagement with a stationary part of the machine, cam actuated means for reciprocating the rod, and means whereby as said pushers move forwardly they impart like movement to the cans, and as they move rearwardly they are positioned by the cans out of pushing engagement therewith and when released by the canswill assume a position in operative pushing relation with the succeeding cans, and rigid means for holding the can from vertical movement as the pusher arms are returned.

22. In a labeling machine, labeling instrmnentalities, and a can feed comprising a support for the cans having a longitudinally extending opening, a plurality of pusher arms for the cans adapted to project through said openingsand into the path of the cans, a connecting rod for the pusher having slidable engagement with a stationary part of the machine, cam actuated means for reciprocating the rod, means whereby as said pushers move forwardly they impart like movement to the cans, and as they move rearwardly they are positioned by the cans out of pushing engagement therewith and when released by the cans will assume a po- Sitiun in operative pushing relation with the 

